I don’t write these words to discourage you, but to acknowledge a reality that we all know too well. Although we all are very aware of our own shortcomings, too often we don’t acknowledge our failures. We sometimes behave as if we don’t need any correction or modification of our behavior or of our beliefs. Some believers approach salvation and spiritual growth with the idea that they have been made perfect and will never sin again. But when they fail and fall short, their failure totally demoralizes them and leads them to stagnation and spiritual prostration. They give up on being holy.

The Apostle Paul recognized this constant battle between good and evil in his own spiritual journey. In Romans 7:19 he said, “For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practice.” He also said, after some years of maturity, that he does not count himself to have apprehended either was already perfect. (Philippians 3:11-13) The Apostle Paul wrote two-thirds of the books in the New Testament, but referred to himself as the “chief of sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15) This should give all those baptized Holy Spirit filled believers who think of themselves as sinless and perfect reason to pause.

Even after we have repented and have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and have been endowed with the blessed Holy Spirit, our earthly flesh sometimes causes us to transgress. No one is exempt from the possibility of falling into sin. No one!

What God is saying to us in “Today’s Word & Prayer” is that He knows we will sin. For all sin and fall short. (Romans 3:23) But God has made provision for his children’s forgiveness and restoration through Christ Jesus.

We are redeemed and forgiven! Hallelujah!

TODAY’S WORD

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation [The atoning sacrifice] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1 -2)

TODAY’S PRAYER

Father, it is in the name of the LORD YeHoWsHua* (Jesus) the Christ that I pray to You today. I confess that I have sinned against You. Please forgive me O God. You said in Your Word that if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just and will forgive me of my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word and deed. I have tried to live holy but failed. I have tried to be righteous but fell short. Please forgive me O God. My flesh is weak but my spirit is willing. Strengthen me so that I may resist the temptation to sin. Guide me so that I may avoid the pitfalls of sin. Keep me so that I may not become addicted to sin or desire the pleasures of its seduction. Help me to always remember that I have a strong and effectual defender in Christ Jesus who, if I repent of sin, will defend me before Your judgment seat with His own precious blood—the atonement for my sins. Help to live as a child of God who is redeemed and forgiven. This is my prayer in the name of the LORD YeHoWsHua* (Jesus) the Christ, Amen.

For a Bible lesson on God’s ordained instructions regarding the salvation process, please visit the following link: